South Branch intelligencer. [volume] (Romney, Va. [W. Va.]) 1830-1896, 1887-05-20
The Clergyman's Ghost.


amid shrubbery and trees. The place
was smart town in northern Michigan.
The pastor and his wife were entertain
ing for day three OF Mr.. Starkcye's
classmates at college. These gentlemen
cime up from Ohio for duck shooting on
the Lake Huron shore, and had stopped
for visit to their old school fellow in
his new location.
After dinner visitors and hosts were
sitting in the coy parlor while the
shades of night deepcned. The talk
was lively, and all were in the best of
spirits, when one Of the visitors sudden
ly exclaimed:
What's that2"
o. course everybody looked at every
body else, and the visitors saw in Mrs.
Starkeyc's face an expression of annoy
ance almost amounting to distress.
1t was John Trennam who made the
exclamation. His comrades, Jack
Duceman and Henry Kctlow, demanded
in one breath:
what is it, joint"
''Whats the matter, old fcllowY
Irennam exclaimed: "Why, that
voice. Didn't you hear it, Starkeye2 A
mufiled sound like the There it is
againl Do you hear that2"
Every one had heard it this time. A
mufflad voice, truly; but the words were
plainly heard:
Observation-Disclosures
A long dwell upon the first word, in a
sort of cresccndo wal; then an instant's
pause, and the second word came, short
and sharp, but in louder tone:
"Oh-h-h-h-hl-Don't!"
A womau's voice, evidently. So it
seemed to all the listeners.
Mrs. Starkeye was the first to speak.
''lt has come, Doycc," she said TO her
husband, and the manner, not less than
her words, told that the waiing voice
was not news to them, but was dreaded
by her, at least.
"Starkeye," cried Duccman, SPRING
ing to his feet, with your permission
we'll lay this ghost for you. SEQ how
it must bother you. Do you give us
leave3 All! that's right. CUmo, boys,
let's get to the bottom of it. A parson
can't go ghost-hunting, but we cam"
1t was arranged that Trenman should
keep watch ut the west window of the
parlor. Duceman was to stealthily sta
ton himself ut the west end of the front
porch. and Ketow went to the second
floor room above the par,or. A little
cool headed watching, they though
would discover something in no very
long time. They were to remain at their
posts for an hour, if nothing wa, found
ont meanwhile, and then reasonable in
the parlors TO consider further steps.
The Mig was not dark, but it was
difficult to see much around the leafape
surrounding the parsonage. A soughing,
westerly wind came fitfully through the
trees. The friends took their stations
md half an hour went by, while at in
ierva!s the wailing voice was heard.
Beyond all question it was somewhere
about the west end of the house. Blu
wheref Now it sounded to Duceman on
he porch as if it were just above his
mead, but the next time it was heard il
'eemed TO come from the top Of a silver
.cafed poplar that stood close to the west
md OF the house. Duccman pecred
around toward the poplar, and in his
eagerncss stepped of III, porch among
the shrubbcry.
"Oh-h-h-h-hl DJn't"
Almost directly above his head. Duce l.
man thought. He was surJ it was in
The poplar tree IL crcpt slowly until
ne stood under the poplar, and then
looking intentIy through the bran ches saw
! dark form outlined against the sky-a
form Upon tho peak Of the roof and not
n the tree. Duceman wa, both elated
aud indignant at his discovery.
81 hate practical j ,lSes and i,kers-
specially such stupid ones ~ this." and
nc muitercd rs he stole quickly and
quietly back TO the porch into the house
I'll give that fellow lesson he won't
forget" said Duceman TO himself rs he
secured his ducking gun, and then raid
4 hasty visit to NJ =. Starkcyo's kitchen.
In minute more Duccman, gun in
hand, was stenling softly around the
west end Of tho house again. T1erc sat
The fellow on tho roof, dimly seen against
The sky. Duccman raised his gun and
tired. With loud Shrek the figure on
The roof plunged forward into the pop
lar tree. But tho branches were small
and brittle, and The figure crashed
through them and aligh'e ed in the centre
o a great arbor-yi'@ Out If this again
ii rolled sputtcring, grooming and twist
ing in many conlortious. DItcmln
dropped Lis gun and sprang forward as
the inmates Of the house came hunicdly
ont.
Great heaven, Kctlow, is it youl' cx.
rloimcd Duccman, as he reached O. G
writing figure on the ground
] "O-oo-ool ow-owl YES! You'v,